SAVING LIVES. Members of the 501st Ready Reserve Battalion, together with the troops from the 1501st Community Defense Center of the 15th Regional Community Defense Group, Reserve Command of the Philippine Army, conduct rescue operation in Sitio Malalag, Barangay Libertad, Butuan City on Saturday (Feb. 18, 2023). Heavy rains caused by the trough of a low-pressure area flooded at least 38 villages in Butuan City as well as other areas in the Caraga Region. (Courtesy of 1501st Community Defense Center) BUTUAN CITY - Thousands of residents in Butuan City as well as in the neighboring provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur fled their homes as the trough of the low-pressure area (LPA) brought heavy rains that caused flooding and landslides Saturday. As of the 10 a.m. weather bulletin, the LPA was already in thevicinity of San Vicente, Northern Samar or 40 kilometers east of Masbate City, Masbate. The probability of a tropical depression within 24 hours is less likely, according to
MANILA - The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will cause scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas, the weather bureau said Friday. Flash floods or landslides are likely due to moderate to at times heavy rains, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms. "Fair weather will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country. Isolated rain showers are likely in the afternoon or evening," PAGASA forecaster Ezra Bulquerin said. For the next three days, fair weather with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms are also expected, he said. Light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas will prevail over the entire archipelago. Meanwhile, Tuguegarao's temperature will reach up to 35 C; up to 34 C in Metro Manila. Zamboanga's temperature is up to 33 C, and up to 32 C in Dav
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (File photo) MANILA - President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has suspended classes at all levels and work in government agencies in some parts of Luzon on Tuesday and Wednesday due to tropical storm Florita (international name: Ma-on), Malacanang announced Tuesday. In a statement, the Office of the Press Secretary (OP) said class and work suspension effective 1 p.m. Tuesday will be in place in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales, and Bataan. However, the suspension excludes frontline agencies that are providing emergency services. Meanwhile, the OP said the suspension of classes and work in private schools and offices will be left to the discretion of their respective heads. "Sa pribadong sektor, base yun sa diskresyon ng employers, pero rekomendado na isususpinde na rin (In the private sector, it will be based on the discretion of employers but the recommendation is to also suspend classes and wor
(Image grabbed from PAGASA's Facebook page) MANILA Typhoon Malakas has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and was given the local name "Basyang," the weather bureau said in an update posted Tuesday noon. The typhoon entered PAR at 10 a.m. but is not expected to have a direct effect on the country's weather, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). "Basyang" is also unlikely to directly affect the coastal waters' sea condition, but swells resulting from the typhoon is forecast to generate moderate to rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, as well as the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao. The typhoon was last tracked 1,435 kilometers east of southern Luzon, and is forecast to exit PAR in the evening. Meanwhile, Tropical Depression (TD) Agaton is now in the vicinity of Balangiga, Eastern Samar, and slowly moving eastward. The TD packs maximum
AFTERMATH. The passenger vessel MV Kho Ferry 1 and the tugboat MT Super MJ run aground at the coast of the South Road Properties in Cebu City, after Typhoon Odette struck Cebu province on Thursday evening (Dec. 16, 2021). Local government units in Cebu are now assessing the vast expanse of the damage left by "Odette." (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra) CEBU CITY - Localities in Cebu province on Friday began assessing the extent of the damage from Typhoon Odette, which left six people dead in Mandaue City and rendered many roads impassable and without electricity, water, and Internet connection. The typhoon made landfall in the vicinity of Carcar City in the south of the province, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). According to the townsfolk, the typhoon began lashing houses, trees, and structures at about 9 p.m. on Thursday. Its landfall in Carcar City was the seventh since it first hit Siargao Island at 1:30